Hospitals
How e3 Partners with You
For over a decade, our staff of trained Clinical Aromatherapists and healthcare professionals has partnered with hospitals to develop aromatherapy programs. If you are looking to set a higher standard of care with integrative aromatherapy services, we can assist you in the selection of essential oils, the development of policies and procedures, and training for your staff on safe, effective application methods.
Learn more below or contact us to set-up an initial consultation.
Aromatherapy Benefits
More than ever before, hospitals are looking to include Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) services to enhance patient satisfaction. Many are turning to aromatherapy, which has proven to enhance the quality of life for both patients and staff.
The benefits include:
- An environment of well-being and comfort within the hospital
- Enhanced patient satisfaction in their level of care
- Symptom relief for patients with nausea and pain
- Emotional support for patients who are depressed or anxious in a hospital setting
- Less unpleasant “hospital” odors for patients, staff, and visitors
- Stress relief for staff leading to increased job satisfaction, better performance, and fewer health problems
- Potential cost-savings due to the benefits previously listed
Safe Implementation Guidelines
E3 has partnered with hospitals to design and develop a comprehensive aromatherapy program. We’ve seen when hospitals explore aromatherapy they face a series of important considerations, such as:
1. Choosing essential oils that will increase patient satisfaction in your facility’s complementary services.
Hospitals need to begin any aromatherapy program by ensuring that they “do no harm” by using only certified, therapeutic-quality essential oils. E3 utilizes independent lab testing Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) to certify essential oils are free of pesticides and synthetics, are unadulterated, and the chemical constituents are in the range necessary to be effective for intended use. The next step is to identify specific concerns, for both patients and staff, that can be enhanced by aromatherapy. For example, if nausea is a common concern a hospital may choose to use ginger and/or peppermint essential oils to minimize symptoms. Please see Specific Recommendations below for our list of essential oils and blends most commonly used by hospitals.
2. Creating standardized policies and procedures on the appropriate use of aromatherapy within your facility.
Standardized policies and procedures are important to ensure essential oils are used safely and effectively. Each essential oil requires a separate protocol specifying the recommended level of dilution, the dosage, and the application method. It also requires that the patient’s health history, current conditions, prescriptions, etc. are taken into consideration. Having well-documented protocols empower hospital staff to make knowledgeable decisions on the use of essential oils for each patient.
3. Educating and training staff on safe application methods.
There is a great deal of misinformation circulating on the internet regarding the use of essential oils that is both unnecessary and unsafe. Therefore, it is extremely important that hospitals provide training to staff so they know which essential oils are safe to use, understand the chemistry of these essential oils, and know how to administer them in a safe manner.
Contact Us
E3 is happy to share our experience and research to assist you in the selection of essential oils. We can also partner with you in the development of policies and procedures and the training of your staff on safe, effective application methods. Contact us to set-up an initial consultation.
In our research and experience working with hospitals, we’ve identified the most effective and widely used essential oils and/or blends to enhance patient satisfaction and staff performance. This list is meant as a starting point, as there are many more essential oils and blends available to you.
RECOMMENDED ESSENTIAL OIL BLENDS FOR HOSPITALS
NAUSEA RELIEF
Nausea is a common issue for hospital patients; this blend can be used to calm nausea and upset stomach.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Practitioners recommend putting 1-3 drops of this blend on a cotton ball and asking patient to take a deep breath. The smell often immediately relieves feelings of nausea.
RELAX
Some patients have trouble resting and/or sleeping in a hospital setting. This blend is designed to calm and relax the body, mind, and spirit, and promote a deep, restorative sleep.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Put 1-3 drops of essential oil on a tissue cotton ball and tuck it in the pillow case near the patient’s head.
BREATHE EASY
Designed to support comfortable, relaxed breathing. If the patient is congested.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Use a Breathe Easy spritzer to lightly mist on bedding or add 1-3 drops to a tissue or cotton ball and tuck it in the pillow case or place near the patient’s head.
PEACE
Some patients have trouble coping with anxiety in a hospital setting. This blend was designed to give patients a sense of inner calm and stillness.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Put 1-3 drops of essential oil on a tissue or cotton ball and ask the patient to inhale the aroma or tuck it in the pillow case or place near the patient’s head.
RECOMMENDED ESSENTIAL OILS FOR HOSPITALS
BERGAMOT FCF
This is an uplifting aroma that most patients and staff find agreeable. It also provides immune support.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Use in a diffuser or spritzer to add a soothing, uplifting aroma to patient’s room; or add 1-3 drops to a tissue or cotton ball tuck it in the pillow case, or place near the patient’s head.
FRANKINCENSE
An excellent choice for stress, skin care, and as an immune stimulant.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Can be used on small wounds or minor skin infections by mixing 1-4 drops with 1 teaspoon of carrier oil and applied to the area in need. To address stress you can add 1-3 drops to a tissue or cotton ball and tuck it in the pillow case or place near the patient’s head.
GINGER
An excellent choice for patients suffering nausea or indigestion.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Add 1-3 drops to a cotton ball and ask patient to take a deep breath.
MANDARIN
This is a gently uplifting aroma that both patients and staff enjoy.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Use in a diffuser or spritzer to add a gently calming, uplifting aroma to patient’s room; or add 1-3 drops to a tissue or cotton ball tuck it in the pillow case, or place near the patient’s head.
LAVENDER, FRENCH
If a patient is feeling particularly anxious lavender oil works wonders to help calm and ease emotional discomfort.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Use in a diffuser or spritzer to add a gently calming aroma to patient’s room; or add 1-3 drops to a tissue or cotton ball tuck it in the pillow case, or place near the patient’s head.
PEPPERMINT
This is an uplifting, fresh aroma that can be used to calm nausea or refresh the air.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Use in a diffuser or a spritzer to freshen the air or to gently awaken your patient. Inhalation of Peppermint can often immediately calm feelings of nausea. Add 1-3 drops to a cotton ball and ask patient to take a deep breath.
TEA TREE
Tea Tree is known for its gentle yet powerful, full-spectrum, anti-infectious properties and its support for the immune system.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
For skin care mix 1-4 drops of essential oil in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil and apply to the area in need.
Articles
Aromatherapy: How Essential Are Those Oils?
Penn Medicine News Blog
(Using essential oils as a complementary modality to manage patient symptoms of anxiety, stress & nausea.)
Research
Protective effect of lavender oil on scopolamine induced cognitive deficits in mice and H2O2 induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells
Journal of Ethnopharmacology; Volume 193, 4 December 2016, Pages 408–415
(Lavender Essential Oil & Alzheimer’s)
Related e3 Blog Posts